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Wednesday 7 March 2007

The World Today is a comprehensive current affairs program which backgrounds, analyses, interprets and encourages debate on events and issues of interest and importance to all Australians. Below is the program summary with links to transcripts and audio (if available).

Growth figures point to interest rate rise

The prospect of another interest rate rise has risen suddenly today with the release of surprisingly strong economic growth figures. Australia's economic expansion accelerated by 1 per cent in the December quarter, about twice the pace expected by many economists. The Australian dollar strengthened on the news, as market speculators judged that the numbers make a rates rise more likely.

Qantas investors hold out over sale price

To the sale of Qantas now, and the Federal Government may have approved the $11 billion sale of the national airline to a private equity consortium, but will the shareholders agree to it? They're the ones who have the final say on whether the Qantas takeover deal will go ahead. And while many investors will be unable to resist the premium price on offer, some institutional investors are holding out for a better offer from the private equity buyers.

PM keeps distance from Qld Liberal fraud probe

The timing is not good for the Prime Minster. As he tries to keep up his political attack on Labor leader Kevin Rudd, John Howard is facing questions about the fraud investigation that's ensnared three of his Queensland colleagues.

Indigenous violence getting worse, author finds

100 Shia pilgrims killed in double suicide attack

In Iraq, in one of the worst single acts of violence since the fall of Saddam Hussein, around 100 Shia pilgrims have been killed in a double suicide attack. The pilgrims were making their way to Karbala when two men blew themselves up in a crowd in the town of Hilla, south of Baghdad. The attack coincides with the joint US-Iraqi security surge in Baghdad, which is aimed at rooting out insurgents.

Fund aims to compensate for Afghan civilian deaths

In Afghanistan, there've also been dozens of civilians killed in the last few days, And there are likely to be even more casualties with NATO forces launching a major military offensive against the Taliban. A fund to compensate relatives of victims of the conflict has now been set up by the United States and NATO countries. But a lobby group that campaigns for justice for the dead says too few European nations involved in the fighting are contributing to the payment scheme.

Democrats question White House over Libby conviction

In the United States as the man who was once the US Vice President's most trusted advisor is found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice, Democrats are comparing the Bush administration to the Nixon presidency during Watergate. Lewis Libby has been found guilty of obstructing a CIA leak investigation, and could be sentenced to more than two decades in jail. But even the jurors who found him guilty questioned whether he was the fall guy for even more senior members of the Bush administration. And Democrats are calling for the White House to come clean about what they say was a "campaign to manipulate intelligence and discredit Iraq war critics".

DFAT confirms Australians onboard crash plane

To Indonesia now, and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that an unknown number of Australian Government officials and media were onboard a Garuda plane which crashed and burst into flames on landing at Yogyakarta airport a short time ago. The accident happened at 7am local time. The Indonesian state news agency says the plane crashed and exploded on landing.

NZ accuses Fiji Govt of human rights abuses

The New Zealand Government is ratcheting up the pressure on Fiji's coup leaders today. It's accusing the interim government of Commodore Frank Bainimarama of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses. New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, says there's evidence to suggest that a "climate of fear" now exists in the Pacific Island republic.

WWII grenade auctioned off in toolbox

Explosives experts were dispatched to a suburban home, in Melbourne, this morning when a couple discovered they'd bought more than they bargained for at auction. The couple had bid on a box of tools, but ended up bringing home a World War II grenade as well. It's an experience they say they are not keen to repeat, but experts say it happens frequently, thanks to the souveniring habit of Australian soldiers.

Downer in Indonesia

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer is in Indonesia, but that he was not on the flight that crashed. The Minister's spokesman says Mr Downer is trying to get to Yogyakarta as soon as possible. He's also confirmed that a number of Australians were on the flight. The Foreign Affairs Department has set up a crisis centre and is making arrangements for medical evacuations. The department has also confirmed that Australian journalists were on the plane, but it cannot confirm if they're safe.